Jets' Jeff Otah still not sure if he can pass physical by deadline

William Perlman/The Star-LedgerJeff Otah has to pass his physical by July 31 for the Jets' trade with Carolina to stand.

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Tackle Jeff Otah must pass his physical by Tuesday for the Jets' trade with Carolina to stand. But two days before the deadline, Otah is still not sure if he will pass due to his ailing knee.

"I feel better," Otah said. "I don’t really know exactly what the physical is. I'm just trying to get healthy so I can play some football."

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After the Jets traded for Otah last Monday, he was placed on the active/PUP list when he failed the physical. He has spent each of the Jets' three training-camp practices on the sideline, working with the strength and conditioning staff.

The former first-round pick by the Panthers has only played four games in the past two seasons. He aggravated his nagging left knee injury again this spring during OTAs with the Panthers. Otah said on Friday that there was fluid in his knee.

"It’s getting better. It’s not 100 percent, but that’s what I'm doing right now," Otah said. "All this work on the field, working with the trainers, they're getting me ready."

Otah said he is not sure when he will try to take the physical again. He admitted it crossed his mind that he only has two days before the deadline.

"I think about it, but I feel like I’m improving every day, so I feel good," Otah said.

The trade is contingent on him passing his physical within a 7-day window of arriving at Jets headquarters. He said he is not sure why the 7-day window was picked.